In the adaptation Shockwave has more lines.
"I am pleased you have not demanded my surrender. Such a request would be illogical, given your present state."
"So emotional, Prime. Such anger over a few dead soldiers?"
"You should have stayed dead this time, Optimus Prime."
"That was a magnificent creature, Prime. Now you will join it in extinction."
"Prime! You still live?! Even blinded, I am more than a match for you."

In the adaptation Shockwave has more lines.
"I am pleased you have not demanded my surrender. Such a request would be illogical, given your present state."
"So emotional, Prime. Such anger over a few dead soldiers?"
"You should have stayed dead this time, Optimus Prime."
"That was a magnificent creature, Prime. Now you will join it in extinction."
"Prime! You still live?! Even blinded, I am more than a match for you."

I suppose they couldnt get an actor they felt fit those lines? Since Corey Burton and David Warner apparently turned down the role. With Frank Welker, they decided to to change his personality to snarling incomprehensible beast. And, you are right about the novel being the superior..

I suppose they couldnt get an actor they felt fit those lines? Since Corey Burton and David Warner apparently turned down the role.

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Corey Burton and David Warner are not the be-all and end-all of candidates for Shockwave's voice. There's many talented voice actors out there who might be capable of portraying the cold, ruthless, logical creature that is Shockwave. If this is the reason why Shockwave didn't speak more, the creative team lack imagination.

In the adaptation Shockwave has more lines.
"I am pleased you have not demanded my surrender. Such a request would be illogical, given your present state."
"So emotional, Prime. Such anger over a few dead soldiers?"
"You should have stayed dead this time, Optimus Prime."
"That was a magnificent creature, Prime. Now you will join it in extinction."
"Prime! You still live?! Even blinded, I am more than a match for you."

Y'know, if Shockwave actually talked that would've made up for his terrible, short appearance. Shockwave is one of the most distinct TF voices/speech patterns, it's an utter travesty he didn't say anything intelligible. Yeah, yeah, "Optimussss," but that's just a name not a sentence or even complete thought.

Corey Burton and David Warner are not the be-all and end-all of candidates for Shockwave's voice. There's many talented voice actors out there who might be capable of portraying the cold, ruthless, logical creature that is Shockwave. If this is the reason why Shockwave didn't speak more, the creative team lack imagination.

Click to expand...

I would have liked it if Gary Oldman could voice him or Heath Ledger if he was still alive ( all respect to the brilliant man)

In the adaptation Shockwave has more lines.
"I am pleased you have not demanded my surrender. Such a request would be illogical, given your present state."
"So emotional, Prime. Such anger over a few dead soldiers?"
"You should have stayed dead this time, Optimus Prime."
"That was a magnificent creature, Prime. Now you will join it in extinction."
"Prime! You still live?! Even blinded, I am more than a match for you."